It's the self propel feature. You have 2 selp propel options with commercial WBs. Belt/gear drive is cheaper, but the belts that turn the wheels tend to slip in wet conditions, you steer with 2 brakes. Hydro WBs are a bit more expensive, but they are easier to operate and handle. plus they have a reverse instead of a belt drive with reverse assist.

start w/ belt drive, unless u can find a hydro for cheap.

__________________Elite Lawn Team <------- Sold my business and now im an employee at CP Landscaping

I would look for a gear drive walk behind mower. I have one and there is no slippage at all because there are no belts! I pull a sulky with it and have never had a problem. Belt drive mowers dont have reverse, GEAR drive do. I am sure that I will get my head chewed off for posting this (big discussion on it ) But I would look for a complete gear drive mower. They have mow power to pull a sulky without burning through belts left and right.

The one that you posted is a belt drive mower, notice the things above the wheels in the rear, that is where the belt are for the wheels.

Complete gear drives dont have those belts it is just the trans straight to the wheels. Its a very cool system

Yes, the one pictured is a belt drive. They are not that bad. Hydro is better. The pictured one is worth maybe $500. Keep watching Craigslist, and check with some dealers. This time of year they are itching to move mowers that sat around awhile.Posted via Mobile Device

Yes, the one pictured is a belt drive. They are not that bad. Hydro is better. The pictured one is worth maybe $500. Keep watching Craigslist, and check with some dealers. This time of year they are itching to move mowers that sat around awhile.Posted via Mobile Device

These older models, are they pretty solid, or should I expect to see a lot of repair shops?

These older models, are they pretty solid, or should I expect to see a lot of repair shops?

All depends on how well they were cared for. The older something gets the more brittle it gets. Belt drives are pretty simple to begin with, but it still can nickel and dime you to death. Not sure where you are, but I saw a ferris 32" single hydro for sale on here for 1250. If you don't have any hills, it would be a good starter mowerPosted via Mobile Device